About

MyMindfulSelf was set up by Helen O’Neill (M.A. in Teaching Mindfulness Approaches, University of Bangor) to provide high quality mindfulness programmes.

Helen brings over 15 years experience as a Clinical Psychologist to her work as a Mindfulness Teacher.

Professional Background

I qualified as a Clinical Psychologist in 2002 and I am registered as a Chartered Psychologist with the Psychological Society of Ireland. I currently work as a Senior Clinical Psychologist in General Paediatrics. I have also previously worked in adult mental health in New Zealand.

Mindfulness Training and Experience

My initial introduction to mindfulness was on a retreat in New Zealand in 2005. Following participation on an 8-week MBSR programme, I continued to practice mindfulness meditation regularly. I found practicing mindfulness especially beneficial in managing chronic pain, and also within my work as a psychologist. My desire to share the benefits with others led me to train as a mindfulness teacher, which was an enriching and rewarding experience. Following five years of intensive training on a part-time basis, I was awarded a Masters Degree in Teaching Mindfulness (Distinction) from the Centre for Mindfulness Research and Practice at the University of Bangor, Wales in 2016. I also achieved a Certificate of Competence to Teach Mindfulness Based Courses from the University of Bangor. I am committed to ongoing professional development, and in 2018 I completed training to teach the Finding Peace in a Frantic World course at the Oxford Mindfulness Centre.

In addition to my training in MBSR and MBCT, I am certified to teach mindfulness programmes for children and adolescents, (PAWS b and dot b), and school staff ( .b Foundations). These mindfulness programmes were designed by the Mindfulness in Schools Project (MiSP) in the UK. I teach PAWS b and dot b programmes in my role as a Paediatric Clinical Psychologist and these are well received by young people.

Since qualifying as a mindfulness teacher in 2016, I have taught mindfulness workshops and courses for the general public, and for various organisations including Tallaght University Hospital, VHI, Hibernia College, Carr’s Child and Family Services and The Novas Centre.

Professional Membership

I am a member of the Mindfulness Teachers Association of Ireland and I agree to be bound by the professional standards and ethical standards of the organisation. Seehttps://mtai.ie/ for information about the organisation.

A Lust for Life – Blogs

I have contributed several blogs on the website A Lust for Life. They can be located in the Mental Health Section https://alustforlife.com/.